Conducting a Culture Audit

"The trick is to make sure you do not die waiting for prosperity to come" -- Lee Iacocca

The Challenge

Your organization's culture, or the "way you get things done," has a significant impact on performance. Defining the "informal rules of the road" or the culture determines the degree of creativity and risk that is acceptable, the patterns of communication, and even the types of relationships people have with each other. It influences whether managers develop people with leadership potential, if individuals are encouraged to lead, and the informal networks needed to allow multiple leadership initiatives to work effectively. We all have heard the importance of aligning culture and strategic objectives. Yet how can you be sure what is your culture?